This year, I took the time to really invest my energy in home organization. One of the very first items I worked on was a family emergency binder for our home.
It’s important to note that the family emergency binder is different than a home management binder, which is geared towards keeping your family on track on a daily basis.
Putting all of our important information and documents together in one place has not only been smart and practical for at-home use, but it is the perfect grab-and-go item in case of an emergency.
Now, each emergency binder will be unique across the board – some families choose to have very in-depth binders and others have just the vital information (I like to think mine was less elaborate). How and what you choose to put in yours is up to you!
Here is how I put together our family emergency binder, as well as some additional ideas you can incorporate and some free printables so you can start your own!
- Create your family binder with some simple supplies:
- 3-ring binder
- Page protectors
- Page dividers (use these to plan out your family binder into basic sections)
- Waterproof pouch (optional – great for documents, ID’s and passports)
- Gather your information and documents
- Contact information (including emergency contacts, neighbors, hospital, primary care, pediatrician, veterinarian, insurance providers, etc.)
- Medical information (personal medical details such as allergies, medications, etc.)
- List of utilities (account numbers, authorized users and login username/password)
- Important documents
- Legal documents (marriage license, custody, car titles, lease information, etc.)
- Tax documents
- Property documents (deed, titles, etc.)
- Testamentary documents (wills, trusts, etc.)
- Identification material
- Birth certificates
- Passports
- Copies of drivers license or state issues ID card
- Social security cards
- Military records
- A list of usernames and passwords to vital websites
- Contacts of family and friends
- List of birthdays and anniversaries
- Print out the free family emergency binder printables I have made below, which include:
- Family binder cover
- Emergency numbers and information
- Family personal profile
- Birthdays and anniversaries
- Contacts of friends and family
- Utilities and services
Fill out your printables and place in the page protectors. Make sure you place all your documents in a spot you will remember (I place our documents towards the back of the binder, in different sections).
There you have it – in just a few steps, you have an easily accessible “command center” binder!
Want to include more? Here are some additional ideas you can put in your emergency family binder:
- Babysitter worksheet
- Petsitting worksheet
- Immunization records
- Credit/debit card information
- Medical release forms (you can even notarize these)
Hopefully we never ACTUALLY have to run out of the house with this binder in an emergency, but the fact that we have it eases my mind exponentially.
Have you made a family emergency binder?
If you enjoyed this post and want more printables for your family binder, check out this post.
14 Comments
Wyatt Chaffey
I really like your writing style, excellent info , appreciate it for posting : D.
March 2, 2019 at 7:26 pmJenna Mugridge
Thank you so much for the kind words!
March 5, 2019 at 7:01 pmCharlene Lawrence
Is there a way to save the files to complete the forms on the computer, versus handwriting?
March 11, 2019 at 9:21 pmJenna Mugridge
Hi Charlene – due to your question, I have made the printable into a form version – so you are able to type into the PDF directly. Feel free to use the newest download here: https://rockitmama.com/family-emergency-binder-free-printables-to-create-your-own/
March 19, 2019 at 3:51 pmKatie
I’m not seeing any clickable links to get the printable pages. Am I missing something? I clicked the link in your other comment and it brought me back to this same page… how do I get them?!
April 18, 2019 at 12:58 pmJenna Mugridge
Hi Katie, there is a box at the bottom of the post that reads DOWNLOAD OUR FREEBIE! with the option to enter your email address. Thats where the files can be found. Hope this helps!
April 18, 2019 at 3:33 pmRebecca
I love these! I printed them and am putting together my binder and it is making my organization-loving heart very happy. Can I make a suggestion for another page to include? I would LOVE if there was some kind of bill tracker/schedule that included due dates, company name, payment amount, where/how payment is made, etc. Of course I could make my own, but I love the style of your printables and would love to have a coordinating list! 🙂 Thanks for all you do!
April 22, 2019 at 1:07 pmAdam Martin
Hi,
July 29, 2019 at 2:01 amIn emergency situation, Binder with you which carriers information about your health condition could help the doctor treat you accordingly.
Kelly
Thank you so much– these are wonderful and pretty too. 🙂
July 30, 2019 at 5:55 pmDana Wingate
Hi! Love your site! Wondering where I find the free printables for the family energency binder?
January 15, 2020 at 10:01 pmDana Wingate
Please delete… just read the other comments. Thanks.
January 15, 2020 at 10:04 pmJenna Mugridge
Thanks for visiting! Let us know if you need any help!
January 16, 2020 at 2:16 pmKathy
Thank you so much for this! It looks great!
July 13, 2020 at 11:10 amAshlea Herrold
Hi! I love these so much and printing and filling out! Thank you so much for this amazing resource! Can I ask you a weird question? Do you know what font that is for “FAMILY” on your cover page? I just love it and was curious. 🙂
August 7, 2020 at 10:56 am